Fireman Joseph Alexander Bittles served in the Merchant Navy during World War Two. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bittles of 8 Rotterdam Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim.
He died on 21st March 1941 aged 22 years old on board SS Millisle. The 617-ton cargo ship went down after an attack from a Luftwaffe plane 2 miles east of Helwick Light Buoy in the Bristol Channel. The vessel was en route from Cardiff, Wales to Cork, Éire laden with coal when bombed. A total of 8 crew members from Northern Ireland died as a result of the attack.
Joseph Alexander Bittles has no known grave. His name is on Panel 70 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London, England.